PDP expels Amaechi’s 14 commissioners

PORT HARCOURT — THE crisis in the Rivers State People’s Democratic Party, PDP, deepened, yesterday, as factional leadership of the party in the state led by Felix Obuah expelled 14 commissioners and four other top functionaries of the Governor Rotimi Amaechi-led administration.

The other faction led by Chief Godspower Ake, as well as Governor Amaechi’s Chief of Staff, Mr Tony Okocha, however, dismissed their expulsion as a Nollywood drama that is of no consequence.

Chairman of  Rivers PDP, Felix Obuah who announced the suspension of Governor Amaechi’s loyalists, yesterday, at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt, said the action was based on the State Working Committee’s (SWC) appraisal of the report and recommendations submitted to party executives by its Performance Evaluation Committee and its Disciplinary Committee.

The SWC declared the expulsion of the 18 key functionaries of the Amaechi government about two hours after receiving and deliberating on the Performance Evaluation Committee’s report presented earlier by its chairman, Osinakachukwu Ideozu, who had hinted that the report contained general recommendations and those specific to individuals, particularly party members loyal to Governor Amaechi who had shunned summons by the committee.

List of expelled members

The expelled members as listed by Obuah, include Worgu Boms, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Ibim Semenitari (Information), Okey Amadi (Energy), Emmanuel Chinda (Agric), Victor Giardom (Works), Samuel Eyiba (Local Government Affairs), Patricia Simon Hart (Water Resources), Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi (Lands & Survey), Charles Okaye (Chieftaincy Affairs), Joeba West (Women Affairs), Gogo Levi Jacks (Budget and Economic), Fred Igwe (Sports), Nabbs Imegwu (Culture and Tourism) and Marshall Uwom (Housing).

The four other government functionaries also expelled were George Feyi, Secretary to the State Government; Tony Okocha (Chief of Staff); Dr. Claribe Cookey-Gams, boss of the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority and former Deputy National Vice Chairman of the PDP, Sam Jaja.

Obuah said:  “These people failed to honour the invitation of the committee and they did not also excuse themselves for being absent or communicated what made it impossible for them to appear in person. You are aware that the committee sent invitations to various persons and respected leaders of the party came and presented their score cards.

“We also found in the report that some persons who could not come in person informed the house of their circumstances and others submitted written reports on their stewardship to the committee.

But the persons we have just mentioned acted in contempt, insubordination and disrespect for the party in not honouring the invitation of the Performance Evaluation Committee.

“Sequel to the recommendations of the committee and that submitted by the Disciplinary Committee, they are therefore expelled from the party. Let us also make it clear that this is not the end of this exercise.

“We are still studying the report. Some affected persons whose cases the state cannot decide upon would have their recommendations forwarded to the national body for appropriate action while the leadership at the local government and ward levels would also be properly briefed to take action which we shall continue to communicate to the people.

He reiterated that the “essence of the evaluation was not to witch-hunt anyone but to know how far and how well party members in positions of trust have met the aspirations of the party, our people and the entire Rivers State.”

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